Heat 106, 76ers 87
MIAMI - LeBron James and Ray Allen returned from injuries as the Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 106-87, Saturday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat led 85-82 with 7:32 left in the game, when Miami put together a 7-0 run to help subdue the 76ers.
It was the Heat's 60th win of the season, including a 33-4 home record. The Heat's magic number to clinch the best record in the NBA this season is two.
James, who missed three straight games because of a hamstring injury, had a game-high 27 points as well as five assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes. He did all that just one day after winning his fifth straight Eastern Conference Player of the Month award.
Allen, one of the Heat's top reserves, missed Friday's game at Charlotte because of an ankle injury. He tripped over a photographer near midcourt in Tuesday's loss to the Knicks. On Saturday, Allen had 11 points in 26 minutes.
The 76ers had five scorers in double figures, led by Jrue Holiday with 18 points.
The Heat has now won 16 straight regular-season games against the 76ers, including all four this season. The last time the Sixers won a regular-season game against Miami was in March of 2009.
Miami did not resemble its usual well-above-the-rim style in Saturday's first half. For example, the Heat did not get a single fast-break point and was outscored 6-0 in that category by the 76ers.
Miami dominated the first quarter, 33-18. But Philly outscored the Heat, 28-17, in the second quarter to cut Miami's halftime lead to 50-46. Philadelphia outscored the Heat in the third quarter as well, trailing just 77-76 entering the fourth.
NOTES: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (ankle/knee) missed his fourth straight game. "He has to resolve the swelling from getting hit in the knee," Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His body will tell us when we play him. But, structurally, this is the best he's felt in years -- so that is the good news." ... Heat big man Chris Bosh sat out Saturday's game because of a hyper-extended right knee. Spoelstra said Bosh suffered the injury three games ago but had been playing through the pain. It is just the fourth game Bosh has missed this season. ... Heat center Joel Anthony made his first start of the season Saturday. He started 51 games last season but had virtually disappeared from the rotation this year as the Heat went to a smaller lineup. Still, he had three blocks in seven minutes Friday against Charlotte, and he stepped in Saturday for Bosh. ... The 76ers have been playing much better as of late, winning five of seven games entering Saturday. They have also won three of five road games since March 24, which is a huge improvement for a franchise that previous to that had lost 15 straight away from Philadelphia. ... Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner are the Sixers' most improved players of late. In his last 16 games entering Saturday, Hawes was averaging 16.1 points and 10.3 rebounds. In the 62 games previous to that, he averaged 10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Turner averaged 20.8 games in his previous four games. ... The Sixers conclude their four-game road trip Tuesday in Brooklyn. ... Next up for the Heat is a home game Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, who are Miami's likely first-round playoff opponent.
